Official says disease outbreak in Manila City Jail manageable

The reported outbreak of sore eyes and skin diseases such as boils and scabies among Manila City Jail inmates is still manageable and has not yet reached epidemic proportion, jail officials said yesterday.

“There are only a few inmates who developed skin diseases and sore eyes who are receiving adequate treatment and regular health service. We are already addressing the problem at the early stage of development,” Manila City Jail Infirmary head doctor Chief Inspector Eden Fe Cajilig told The STAR.

Contrary to some reports that more than 200 inmates were afflicted with skin diseases, clinical records obtained by The STAR showed that out of 4,500 detainees, only four were diagnosed with sore eyes, 20 with boils and 35 with scabies.

Boil is characterized by a red painful swelling with a hard pus-filled core caused by bacterial infection of the skin, while scabies is a contagious skin infection caused by a mite characterized by intense itching and inflammation.

“The number of affected is considered negligible and the skin infection is a normal occurrence in every jail facility during summer,” Manila City Jail (MCJ) warden Superintendent Emilio Culang said.

He said that the jail’s health service is now more focused on the inmates’ skin diseases. He also said that congestion inside the jail is not the main factor in the inmates’ affliction of skin diseases. “Skin diseases usually occur during summer, and are not a year-long phenomenon. Therefore, congestion could not be the main cause,” Culang said. The MCJ was built for only 2,000 detainees.

Cajilig said those afflicted were provided with antibiotics and sulphur soap. Proper hygiene and sanitation in every cell is constantly monitored, according to Cajilig.

Culang said sanitation and hygiene is not a problem now inside the MCJ  due to continuous supply of potable water. Main water lines and pipes inside the compound have been rehabilitated, assuring inmates of a 24-hour water supply.

Unlike in the past, Culang said the inmates are already provided with adequate supply of medicines for various illness and infection. “We have a steady supply of medicines every month procured from the regional office,” he said. – Nestor Etolle